The biggest wish of a to be mother's mind is a smooth and safe pregnancy. One of the ways you can deliver your baby safely is by being aware of the complications that may arise during this period and taking precautionary measures to reduce your chances of developing them.

Here are the 6 pregnancy complications that you need to know about?

1. Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a condition that normally occurs after the 20th week and is characterized by high blood pressure, kidney abnormalities and the presence of protein in your urine. Most of the time, symptoms are mild, which can be easily resolved with proper care. But the condition can progress quickly, causing several of your organs to not function properly and even proving to be life-threatening.

2. Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes happens when hormonal changes during this period hamper your body's use of insulin. As a consequence, the insulin hormone is unable to normalize blood sugar levels, leading to abnormally high blood sugar levels. While the condition is not usually a cause of concern for the mother, it can pose several health problems for the baby, more specifically, the occurrence of macrosomia (a condition wherein the baby has an abnormal body weight).

3. Premature labor

You're said to suffer from premature labor or preterm labor if you experience regular contractions that lead to your cervix dilating and effacing before the 37th week. Preterm birth can prove dangerous for the baby, not to mention make it prone to several health problems. In order for it stay alive and be healthy, you child needs to reach its full maturity before birth.

4. Ectopic pregnancy

When the fetus develops outside the womb, more specifically in the fallopian tube, a condition known as ectopic pregnancy is said to occur. It is highly important to put a stop to this pregnancy complication as it the developing embryo might bring about the rupturing of the fallopian tube, and may result in internal bleeding.

5. Placenta previa

The condition of placenta previa sees your placenta occupying a very low position in the uterus, most commonly, adjacent to or over your cervix. If the placenta continues to be at this position during the whole course of the pregnancy, it can lead to bleeding as well as other complications.

6. Low amniotic fluid

It is the fluid-filled amniotic sac that supports and protects your baby in the womb. It is said that about 4% of pregnant women worldwide experience low amniotic fluid levels during their pregnancy. This condition is also known as oligohydramnios. When this happens, labor is usually induced as you come close to the end of your pregnancy.

If you would like to consult with me privately, please click on 'consult'.Related Tip: 6 Changes You Can Expect During the 2nd Trimester of Pregnancy

Designed to enable a surgeon to look into a woman's pelvic or abdominal area for diagnosis or treatment, gynecologic laparoscopy is fast gaining popularity as a minimally invasive procedure for a host of female reproductive health problems. This surgery is also commonly known as keyhole surgery.

In recent times, this form of surgery has begun to replace the conventional open surgery, as the latter poses disadvantages like greater blood loss or infection.

Depending on the purpose of the surgery, gynecologic laparoscopy involves the making of one or more very small incisions (about 5mm in length) in the area that must be treated. One of the incision (or cut) s is used by the surgeon to insert a laparoscope (a lighted telescope) into your abdomen for seeing the insides of your cavity. Many surgical procedures, which were performed by making large abdominal incisions, are now being done using laparoscopy.

What are problems this surgical procedure is beneficial for?

The various health problems that it can be used to diagnose, treat or both are:1. Endometriosis (a condition that is characterized by the growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus)2. Ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy wherein the fetus develops in the fallopian tube instead of the womb)3. Sterilization (blocking of your fallopian tubes through surgery to prevent future pregnancy)4. Ovarian cysts (fluid-filled sacs that develop on the surface or inside an ovary)5. Removal of womb, also known as hysterectomy6. Removal of ovaries 7. Fibroids (non-cancerous growths within or on the surface of the uterus)8. Gynecologic cancers such as ovarian cancer, uterine cancer and so on9. Infertility10. Pelvic pain

What are the benefits you can expect from gynecologic laparoscopy as opposed to open surgery?

1. It is no more required to make large abdominal cuts that are required in traditional surgery, thereby reducing your recovery time2. You suffer from less pain and scarring as the incisions made are much smaller3. A faster return to your normal routine, usually within a few weeks4. Serious complications arising from this form of surgery are very rare